Over the summer of 2019, General Manager Dale Tallon made numerous moves to improve the Florida Panthers for the 2020 NHL season.
An underrated move overlooked by many was the signing of veteran winger Brett Connolly from the Washington Capitals.
The former Stanley Cup Champion experienced a breakout year in 2019 with the Capitals before signing a four-year contract with the Florida Panthers.
During the 2018-19 season, Connolly recorded a phenomenal slash line of 22 goals and 24 assists for 46 total points on the year. Connolly was also quite solid on the defensive end, registering a plus/minus rating of +13 as well as 33 takeaways to only 25 giveaways.
The former sixth-overall draft selection by the Tampa Bay Lightning has continued his success as a member of the Florida Panthers, thus far. While participating in 10 regular-season games, Connolly has recorded a superb line of 4 goals and 3 assists for 7 total points.
In addition, he’s embraced a more significant role with the Cats, playing on the team’s second line for a majority of the games during the current season.
Essentially, Brett Connolly has seemingly fit in quite well alongside former all-star centerman Vincent Trocheck, developing tremendous chemistry and producing points on a consistent basis.
In fact, Connolly has simply caught fire, scoring four goals in the past five games for the Cats. In the three games in which Connolly has scored in, the Panthers picked up road victories against the Nashville Predators and New Jersey Devils, along with a point in an overtime loss versus the potent Colorado Avalanche.
Basically, Connolly’s emergence has provided the top six, specifically the second line, with much-needed stability on the offensive end of the ice. Quite frankly, the second line of Mike Hoffman, Vincent Trocheck, and Brett Connolly has been Florida’s most productive line in terms of goals and point production.
As well, Connolly’s dominance at even-strength is an incredibly valuable element that he brings to the table. Last season, 21 of Connolly’s 22 goals were recorded at even-strength, developing into an offensive weapon during 5-v-5 play. Through the 2019-20 campaign, all of Connolly’s goals (4) and 6 of his 7 points have been registered at even-strength, as well.
He’s earned the spot on the team’s second line, averaging a career-high mark of over 15 minutes of ice time per game. Since receiving a quality opportunity and more minutes, Brett Connolly has seemingly blossomed into a reliable, top-six winger and close to point-per-game scorer – for the time being.
What’s great about Connolly is that he rarely turns the puck over, doesn’t commit costly penalties, skates and defends well, sets up his fellow teammates for scoring chances, and can create scoring opportunities for himself with his wicked wrist shot.
Ultimately, the offseason acquisition of Brett Connolly, who was actually once considered a bust, is increasingly appearing as a steal for Dale Tallon and the Florida Panthers.
Objectively speaking, the emergence of Brett Connolly has helped solidify the top-six forward group as one of the best across the National Hockey League.